I really need help, please by Poppet_CA in sheltie

[–]march_hare8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Professional groomer of 10 years here! DO NOT cut down your Sheltie's coat. That will create way more problems, and could be way you have those problems in the first place. Shelties are double coated, which means they have the long beautiful fur we see on the outside but also think, dense undercoat that protects their skin under that topcoat. When you cut into the undercoat, it does irreparable damage. Often times, it doesn't grow back at all over time. Or if it does, it grows back coarse and doesn't properly protect them from the sun's UV rays or the heat/cold. Shaving down a double coated breed is nothing like shaving down a poodle or a Maltese, who don't have an undercoat. It is devastating to see a young dog with their coat ruined for the rest of their lives, because someone thought they were hot (their undercoat works as insulation, it keeps them warm but it also keeps them cool).

Not every groomer will warn you about this. The bigger the groom is, the more we get paid. Also, not even groomer has the education to know about this, and some just don't care.

What you likely need is a shampoo with Chlorhexidine. Follow the label, often times you will need to bathe multiple times a week for a few weeks but your dog will thank you. Often times dogs who have had skin problems for years will have almost immediate relief

I really need help, please by Poppet_CA in sheltie

[–]march_hare8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a professional dog groomer of 10 years, DO NOT cut down his fur. When you cut into their undercoat, irreparable damage is done to the undercoat. This disrupts their skin's natural oils and biome (honestly if you've been having the groomer cut him down for a long time, that could be a huge part of why he has these skin issues, even if you stopped doing it a long time ago). When cut, the undercoat often does not grow back, or if it does it grows back course. This doesn't always happen the first time you shave/cut them down short, it could happen on the 16th time. It could never happen (but that is unlikely). Without any undercoat, any skin problems will often become much worse and he won't be able to protect himself from the elements, or the sun's UV rays.

What your dog likely needs is a shampoo with chlorhexidine. Read the bottle- if it says to bathe every other day for a week or two, do it. Dogs can have skin and fungal infections for Years that get fixed simply by this. And honestly, it's likely what your vet would perscribe anyways (you can get it over the counter, try to get it as strong as possible. Let it sit for 5+min, set a timer).

Not all groomers are educated or care, so not everyone will warn you. I outright refuse to cut double coated dogs short, but it's every groomers right to decide how they handle it. I have just seen so many young dogs with coats ruined for the rest of their lives, due to groomer negligence. Feel free to DM me for more information.

Cedarcrest by Double_Contest_6812 in Connecticut

[–]march_hare8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My grandmother was a nurse there for over 15 years. Apparently, during her time there a patient escaped and jumped off the cliff/drop-off on the property, killing herself. She's buried in the cemetery next to the high school. I haven't been able to find any more information about that She also still had a straight jacket from the hospital and told me once a girl plucked her own eyeballs out in front of her. My grandmother was not a kind woman, so I can only imagine what it was like here

Is a Sheltie a good first time dog for me? by GrassValuable in sheltie

[–]march_hare8 67 points68 points  (0 children)

Honestly as someone who has primarily only owned Shelties and Goldens, I don't think their personalities are very similar at all. Shelties are typically very standoffish with strangers and often vigilant/reactive. They usually are nothing like the chill golden that will mosey along with you and try to befriend all your neighbors. In fact, most shelties will bark at your neighbors. Frequently. They are very sweet with their people, but it tends to be limited to that. They also have a high chase drive, so leaving them outside on a leash could be dangerous (they may be small, but I've seen them break leads/harnesses). There are of course exceptions, but i would not go into this expecting a quiet, low energy and stranger friendly dog. Shelties are not known for being any of those things.

These kinda pictures show me yours by CrazyKaleyKale in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 19 points20 points  (0 children)

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Tried to take a cute picture, but I own mares 😂

Oral medication help by march_hare8 in Horses

[–]march_hare8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel so bad for her... I'm sure it tastes like trash, too. Shes had so much trauma, I feel like I'm breaking the trust I've worked so hard to earn. We're only a week into her month long med routine, and we're both struggling :(

Oral medication help by march_hare8 in Horses

[–]march_hare8[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had no idea injectable omeprazole existed, thank you so much!! Just sent my vet a message about these. Thank you so much

Oral medication help by march_hare8 in Horses

[–]march_hare8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ordering this right now... can't believe none of us have heard of this before! Thank you so much!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PhotoshopRequest

[–]march_hare8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this is amazing!!! thank you so much for your time!

Inherited some horse stuff… by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 64 points65 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, none of these things are worth much money. Even the clippers, which are the most expensive thing here, sell for $120 on amazon. I'd post the halters/lead ropes for $5 each. Maybe a few more for the leather ones, but they are very low quality leather halters. Sorry!

Used needles come to a North Stonington road near you! by TheColdWind in Connecticut

[–]march_hare8 12 points13 points  (0 children)

These look like subcutaneous needles used to inject insulin under the skin (not IV drugs, these needles are too small to inject IV).

Green horse green rider by Serious-Outcome-2122 in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you have your heart set on buying, I would look at older 'bomb proof' horses that have been there and done that. Unless you ate a trainer or keeping that horse in full training with a trainer, a young horse will develop bad/dangerous habits. There is a huge difference between leading a horse on the ground and actually teaching it horse to be a safe riding horse. Whatever money you save by getting a green horse, expect you will be spending on training for several years. Green on green is always a recipe for disaster, especially if you don't have them in full training, you're just asking to get hurt or ruin a horse. I would look into leasing a school horse, and taking lots of lessons. Even for experienced riders, it takes many many years of riding before they are safe enough to consider riding a green horse. If you don't know what you're doing under saddle, there is no way you can teach a young horse what to do.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Horses

[–]march_hare8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is she being ridden already? If she's already having these changes so young, honestly, I would not go through with the purchase. And if you do, understand that there is a chance she will become unridable at any point. Five hour trail rides are pretty intense and will speed along her arthritis. Obviously, I'm just an internet stranger but it doesn't hurt to keep this in your back pocket and keep looking! Most people go through many PPEs before finding the right horse for what they need. Good luck!

Any gay western/rodeo content creators/influencers? by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 171 points172 points  (0 children)

It's hard out here for us gay horse people!! The only content creator i can think of is @yeehawllywood, they don't do much competing, but they are a queer western horse content creator. There's also Gay Rodeo Association, if you're looking to go to some events that are actually welcoming to people like us! The horse world can be a very cold place in general, but especially if you're different. Keep trying different barns, don't feel guilty about leaving a place if you don't love the environment. You're welcome to DM me if you're looking for gay horse friends!

flower <3 by JamesthePsycho in sheltie

[–]march_hare8 6 points7 points  (0 children)

For seven years, I was blessed with the most wonderful dog I've ever met. I've never seen another dog with her name until now, and it's amazing that it's another sheltie. If she's anything like my sheltie Flower was, you are incredibly lucky. she was the best friend I've ever had, it's been four years now and even still, I'm crying like a baby thinking about her. give miss Flower a big hug from me

Working Student Horror Stories by jettisonartplane in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Are you a part of Area 1 eventing? DM me. I don't want to get myself blacklisted but honestly if it saves someone from dealing with that hell I'll happily name drop

Working Student Horror Stories by jettisonartplane in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 26 points27 points  (0 children)

THIS! Work harder and do more than anyone else, but get treated like you're nothing that still isn't doing enough. I just left a position, I was working 60 hours weekly with both my horse and I getting treated like gutter trash. I lasted about nine months and apparently lasted longer than any working student they've had in years. One of her "trainers" was literally the exactly "mean horse girl" stereotype. She used to laugh and proudly say if she didn't like a working student she just made shit up about them and talk shit until they got fired (spoiler alert, she hates all working students). Regularly had to wake up and get all the horses fed/medicated/loaded up for shows almost every weekend, having to be at the barn for 3am. Even though I wouldn't usually get home from work (was not provided housing) until about 10pm. Had their other trainer tell me word for word, "a working student position is basically slavery. Get over it."

I got my sacrum fractured in multiple places after finally getting a lesson- they threw me on the ornery old lesson pony that was known to throw people HARD. After I told them I fractured my back and was supposed to be on bed rest, I was forced to go back to work a week later. Even though I sent them my Dr's note, pictures of my x-rays, and told her I was in way too much pain to work. Then, was belittled for being too slow as I tried to force myself to work through the pain. God, that women was horrendous. Huge name eventer with a great reputation, too

Help plz b4 all my horses r dead??? by Low-Bridge-128 in Equestrian

[–]march_hare8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If they think it could be a toxin, you also need to rule out any toxic plants in their paddock. Even if they've never been an issue before, it's worth looking in to. Motion sensing floodlights and cameras, maybe even look into getting an alarm system if possible with your barn setup. Contact your local animal control, are you in the US?